Town COVID-19 Status Updates

Town of Sandwich COVID-19 Current Status

Town of Sandwich, MA- Town of Sandwich convened numerous meeting of the COVID 19 Command Team to discuss operations. The Command Team is comprised of the Fire Chief, Police Chief, Emergency Management Director, Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, School Superintendent, Director of Health and Public Health Nurse. See below for Recent News & Regional Coronavirus Info.

June 2020

Town of Sandwich, MA- Thank you to everyone in our community for patience, calm and continued commitment to social distancing.

Town Modified Operations Update:

On Tuesday May 26, 2020 the Town of Sandwich began a modified opening of Town Departments. The Town Hall, Town Hall Annex, Public Works Administration and Jan Sebastian Drive Offices offer limited public service. Public Safety buildings will be open for limited public service. All other Town Buildings remain closed to the public. Please make every effort to conduct your business electronically and check our electronic or mail service options prior to considering in person service. Visit our Sandwich Online Town Services page for options. Your continued support and patience is sincerely appreciated.

Town of Sandwich: Doing Business Online

In accordance with Governor Baker’s phased plan to re-open the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Town of Sandwich has established a list of services which may be conducted on-line in an effort to encourage physical distancing and promote “safer at home.”

Various Sandwich Board and Committee meetings are available online to view either during the meeting by watching on our LIVESTREAM option on Sandwich Community Television (SCTV) or by viewing previously recorded meetings at any time on SCTV. Visit our Online Meeting Videos Page for more information. Audio Only files can also be found here.

In our ongoing efforts to limit the need for public interactions the Town of Sandwich will offer Beach and Transfer Station Sticker online or through the mail only. Please take advantage of either the Cape Cod Beach Sticker website or the mail in options. We will do our best to accommodate your requests electronically. We hope you have a safe and enjoyable summer! When you do visit us please be prepared for the social distancing and safety precautions and anticipate the possibility of longer than usual wait times.

Department of Public Works Returns to Full Operations at the Transfer Station Effective Weds, June 3 2020

The Transfer Station will resume full operations (i.e., pre-COVID 19 operations), including Wednesday night hours. Please note that the ticket machine used to collect disposal fees will be operational but with limited assistance from the staff. Yard waste (grass and leaves) remains open but compost is not available at this time.

Sandwich Board of Health Mask Order April 15, 2020

Sandwich Board of Health Requires Face Masks for essential employees, highly recommends that consumers wear a face covering. ) All employees of all essential businesses shall wear a face covering over their mouth and nose when interacting with the public and within six feet of a co-worker. The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators, which should be left for medical professionals and first responders. All essential businesses shall post on their main entrance doors that it is highly recommended that the consumer entering the store wear a face covering. Please view the following documents for full and supporting information:DECLARATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY ORDERMASK SIGN

Join Chief John Burke, Director of Public Health, David Mason and Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, David Sampson to discuss preparations for June 15, 2020 Annual Town Meeting. – Sandwich Community doing well to slow the spread. Only three active cases as of June 3, 2020. No hospitalizations and 89 recovered cases to report. Keep up the great work Sandwich, continue to support your community reopening and avoid backsliding!

Click to View PSA 20 on YouTube

New coronavirus cases are from healthcare industry, nursing homes and two new cases from college age students returning home. State Representative Randy Hunt offers COVID-19 Update from Beacon Hill.

Click to View PSA #19 on YouTube

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Town of Sandwich Building Closures Effective 4:30PM Monday, March 16th

Effective 4:30 PM Monday March, 16th 2020 ALL TOWN BUILDINGS WILL BE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC until Monday, April 6th or until further guidance is issued by the Town of Sandwich COVID 19 Command Team.This closure includes but is not limited to:- Human Services Building- Public Library- Oak Crest Cove- Sandwich Hollows Golf Course- Sandwich Marina- Town Hall- Town Hall Annex- All Town Services at 16 Jan Sebastian Drive- Transfer Station open to sticker holders only.

Town Staff will be available to support business operations electronically or by phone. Please continue to check for updates on our website.

Effective March 25th 2020

The Town of Sandwich COVID COMMAND TEAM is concerned about the health of our community. In response to observed disregard for social distancing ALL basketball courts are closed per order of the Board of Health. We agree with the National Parks Association and the CDC that mental health is a top concern associated with the COVID -19 outbreak. Our recreational areas, beaches, trails and parks remain open because we recognize the value of open space and fresh air to support both physical and mental health. You can help by avoiding direct contact activities and by sharing the recommendations of National Park and Recreation Association for using open space while maintain social distance. https://www.nrpa.org/about-national-recreation-and-park-association/pressroom/NRPA-statement-on-using-parks-and-open-space-while-maintaining-socialdistancing/

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)

You can help slow the spread of this virus. Please Stay at Home, if you must go out keep your social distance. Routine handwashing is essential. Make every effort to sustain your personal health; eat healthy food, get outside for fresh air and try to get a good night’s sleep. We encourage independent outdoor activity however you must sustain social distance and avoid common contacts.

Town of Sandwich Modified Operations

The Town has authorized modified schedules and work from home for some employees in support of social distancing and redundancy capability in the event a quarantine or illness occurs. Our working staff will do our best to meet the needs of the community and to continue the essential services of our Town. All departments will have staff available during regular working hours either on-site or remotely to respond to telephone calls and electronic communications.

Transfer Station Hours –Stickers Only To reduce large crowds, we recommend avoiding the Transfer Station during the following peak hours of traffic: Weekdays from 11AM to 2PM and Weekends from 11AM to 1PM and 3PM to 4PM. Only Trash and Standard Recyclables (cans, plastic, bottles, and mixed paper) are allowed. No other items will be accepted.

Inspectional Services. Applications for Inspections will be accepted by phone or through our online permitting tool. Most outdoor inspections will continue. Where possible, inspections may be deferred to a date and time in the future. Interior inspections such as plumbing, electrical, etc. may be substituted with photographs & video at the inspector’s discretion. Annual Certificates of Inspection will be placed on hold for now. https://www.sandwichmass.org/201/Building-Department and http://sandwichmass.org/1506/Online-Permitting

Department of Public Works – Contract road drainage and repair work will continue until further notice. Staff will monitor email and respond. The Community can continue to use See Click Fix to report a problem or request service. Crews will be available on an as needed basis. https://seeclickfix.com/sandwich_2/report?locale=en

Sandwich Hollows Golf Course. The Clubhouse will be closed. Golfers will be allowed to make tee times by credit card payment online through the GolfNow application or by phone only. Golf carts will be washed by pressure washer after every use and interior will be wiped with disinfectant. http://www.sandwichhollows.com/

Sandwich Marina. Staff working remotely with outside crew continuing safety repairs. https://sandwichmarina.com/ Fuel dock, office building and the marina playground are closed to the Public.

IMPORTANT TESTING UPDATE:

**Testing Will ONLY be Provided with a Doctor’s Order! No Exceptions!!**

Cape Cod Healthcare to Partner with Barnstable County to Begin Drive-Through COVID-19 Testing with Doctor’s Orders

(Hyannis, MA – March 16, 2020) As of March 16, 2020, Cape Cod Healthcare, in partnership with Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment, will provide drive-through COVID-19 coronavirus testing to patients with a doctor’s order from Cape Cod Healthcare. Testing will be held at Cape Cod Community College at 2240 Iyannough Road from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., seven days a week initially...please click here to view FULL Cape Cod Healthcare Press Release.

1. Call your doctor. YOUR DOCTOR DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A DOCTOR IN THE CAPE COD HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.2. Your doctor will screen you over the phone.3. Your doctor will determine if you should be tested.4. If the doctor determines you should be tested, they will fax your information and a prescription for testing to Cape Cod Healthcare.5. Cape Cod Healthcare will then contact you to set up an appointment and provide instructions.6. REMEMBER you must have an appointment to get tested or you will be turned away. There are NO EXCEPTIONS!7. Finally, if you do not have a doctor, contact the Cape Cod Healthcare Urgent Care Center.

Join Chief John Burke, Director of Public Health, David Mason and Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, David Sampson to discuss preparations for June 15, 2020 Annual Town Meeting. – Sandwich Community doing well to slow the spread. Only three cases... Read on...